Morocco confirms 11 migrant deaths in Ceuta and Melilla incidents

Morocco's Ministry of Interior has officially confirmed 11 deaths among irregular migrants attempting to reach the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. This official figure contrasts with various earlier statistics that had circulated regarding migrant fatalities.

The ministry's spokesperson detailed that the recorded deaths include one accidental fatality resulting from a fall from a rocky area near Ceuta. An additional ten individuals died by drowning. The spokesperson noted that the short distance to shore, less than 70 meters, and shallow waters in some sections, barely over two meters deep, created a misleading sense of ease for some participants.

This perception of a simple crossing led some migrants to underestimate the risks involved, tragically ending in loss of life. The ministry stated that Moroccan authorities are actively collaborating with their Spanish counterparts through official channels.

This cooperation aims to verify information regarding any other reported deaths, as well as to confirm the identities and nationalities of those involved. The goal is to complete the necessary legal, administrative, and humanitarian procedures.

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The distance separating them, which is less than seventy meters, and the limited depth of the water in some points, which does not exceed a little more than two meters, created a misleading sense of ease of crossing for a number of participants, which led them to underestimate the magnitude of the risks, resulting in tragic consequences for some.